According to reports, the FA are ready to give up replays from the fourth round of the FA Cup onward, and the EFL would accept one-legged semi-finals in the Carabao Cup.

The Premier League is looking at a number of ideas and, while a break stretching over two weekends following the FA Cup's third round is one of the options, it is believed that several clubs have suggested splitting a round of league fixtures over two weekends.

A staggered approach would give each club a week off but still give the league's advertisers, broadcasters and fans some top-flight football every weekend during the season.

Ed Woodward says United are open to the idea of a winter break (Image: GETTY)

United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward offered the clearest indication that talks are making progress on the subject.

“The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increasingly congested English football calendar and ways in which we can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving players a mid-season break," Woodward declared.

“Provided space can be found in the calendar, we are open to this in principle and will continue constructive discussions with our football stakeholders to seek a workable solution.”

Snow joke (Image: Eamonn and James Clarke)

Snow outside Anfield (Image: Getty Images Europe)

The idea of teams taking turns to have a week off, however, has not been tried anywhere else in world football, with most of the major leagues in Europe now shutting down for at least a fortnight, usually over Christmas and New Year.

For example, the Bundesliga, home competition for world champions Germany, took three weeks off.

The clubs gather in London on Thursday for a regular Premier League shareholders meeting and are expected to informally discuss the various winter-break scenarios, although the league has confirmed that the topic is not on the official agenda.